The Farmington area, Southfield, Royal Oak and Ferndale are among communities in which residents have sought help from the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan — so much so that the organization is in dire need of donated items.

“The donations we receive went down while we had an uptick in referrals,” said executive director Robert Boyle, referring to the recent holidays.

The organization, which receives referrals from some 60 social service agencies, provides families in need with home items, particularly furniture for greatly reduce rates, or as Boyle describes, “little to nothing.”

“You cannot come to us without a referral,” he said, adding the Furniture Bank in Pontiac is different than a resale shop.

Despite signs of an economic recovery in Michigan, Boyle said in 2014, the Furniture Bank had 1,114 client families — about 3,500-3,600 individuals. “Poverty is moving all over the place,” he said.

That’s why it is not unusual to receive referrals for clients in Oakland County communities. “These are the people who really struggle on a regular basis as they try to improve their lot in life.”

For example, a client can be a mother and children who have been living in a shelter. “When people think of basic needs, they usually think food, clothing and shelter.”

But furniture is a basic need to prevent especially children from having to sleep on a floor or having a table on which to eat a meal. For the 1,114 client families last year, the bank provided 8,100 housing items, valued at more than $450,000. Of the families served, 82 percent had annual household incomes of $10,000 or less and 90 percent had incomes of $19,000 or less, Boyle said.

“Furniture is not something people really think about. But beds for kids are critical,” he said, adding that last year, the bank provided 1,400 beds to families.

For infants, the bank provided 65 new portable cribs for at-risk newborns, as well as information for their families on safe, healthy sleep their babies need.

The bank relies on donations from residents throughout Oakland County. “We are able to pick up from all over Oakland County. Donations are tax deductible.

If furniture items are left on a porch or somewhere else outside the home that is accessible, pick up is free. If residents require help to move the furniture out of a room, the bank charges a $20 pick up fee.

“We will pick up beds and any essential home furnishings,” Boyle said.

Typically, the bank has a truck on the road for pickup five days a week. As resources dwindled following the holidays, the bank is having a tough time providing families what they need. Generally, 90 percent of the time the bank can provide furniture to families in need within two weeks of a request. With a low inventory, families will now wait longer, Boyle said.

To donate home goods, contact the furniture bank at 248-332-1300 to arrange a pickup for mattresses and box springs, dressers, kitchen and dining tables, dining chairs, beds and sofas.

“We want to continue what we are doing,” Boyle added.

jmaliszews@hometownlife.com | 248-396-6620

Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan

Who is helped

The Furniture Bank in Pontiac serves famlies and children in needs, victims of domestic violence, families transitioning from homelessness, victims of fire and foreclosure, individuals with disabilities and medical emergencies or receiving mental health services, foster parents and senior adults.

In 2014, of the 3,540 individuals helped, 506 children younger than four years of age were served, and 698 kids ages five to 14.

2014 statistics

•The Furniture Bank picked up gently used furniture from the homes of 2,028 donors. The bank also made 100 pickups from retail and institutionals donors.